One thing that I have tried as well is muting/Silencing/taking out the bow wielding Thry-Kreen in the top corners, as well as rush killing the troll shaman, as they are the guys keeping the rest alive and well. It works somewhat, but I lose the Commander pretty quickly due to him leaving the main entry area.

Edit two: OK, so... Dominate Monster. Yeah. Did not try that spell at all until this fight, call me a moron, I am OK with that. Disregard post.

Final Battle post returning chalice

Yes you are right, Dominate Monster is pretty much necessary in this fight. A good stock of scrolls of mass heal, mass harm, dominate monster and true resurrection is useful too, as well as Cloaks of Resistance +5.

'Say there is a chunk of meat. Pirates will have a banquet and eat it! But heroes will share it with other people. I want all the meat!!' - Luffy in One Piece